Investigation and Comparison of Spatial–Temporal Characteristics of Farmland Fragmentation in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region, China, and Bavaria, Germany

Abstract

Farmland fragmentation has emerged as the primary manifestation of global land use changes during the last century. Following the economic reform and opening up in China from the 1980s, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region has witnessed continuous farmland fragmentation. Understanding the spatial–temporal dynamics of farmland fragmentation is crucial for formulating sustainable land use management strategies. However, the specific causes and locations of farmland fragmentation remain unclear, as do potential significant differences or similarities across different countries. Given this quandary, this study empirically analyzes the spatial–temporal characteristics of farmland fragmentation in two different contexts: the BTH region in China and Bavaria in Germany. The study utilizes multiple theoretical models for temporal and spatial farmland fragmentation, applying the comprehensive index method, landscape pattern analysis, and the magic cube model. The results indicate that the farmland fragmentation index (FFI) value in BTH and Bavaria first increased or remained stable, but afterwards, both decreased and increased again. Moreover, the spatial analysis demonstrated high significance values for the FFI in the northern and western BTH region and in northern and southern Bavaria. There are, furthermore, significant differences in the FFI in different macro landforms. The FFI in the mountain regions is significantly higher than that of the plains. Finally, the results also demonstrate that a decreasing FFI relates to the overall low values within an FFI region. The theoretical framework in this study appears to align with empirical results, and thus provides a reference for future policy measures to protect farmland.